Switch throw-rod connection



Patented Mar. 10, 1931 B STATES THoMAseEon-eE STILES, on ARIJNGTON, E JERSEY SWITGH THROW-ROD CONNECTION Application filed June 19,

'' rod and the tiebar of the switch points, which connection includes one or more abutments adjustably mounted on the throw rod and a cooperating member on the tie-rod with which the abutments engage to shift the switch, the latter member usually being so formed as to partially house the abutting parts for the purpose of protecting them from snow, sleet and other foreign material which might interfere with their proper adjustment and operation.

A great deal of trouble has been experienced, however, in providing a means for effectively protecting this adjustable throwrod connection against the accumulation of snow, sleet and other foreign material, Without at the same time interfering with its proper operation and adjustment. It has therefore been the object of my invention to provide an improved throw-rod connection of the type in question that will be effectively housed without impairment in any way to its normal operation and adjustment. This object I attain by means ofthe novel construction and combinations of parts constituting my invention as hereinafter described and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a front elevation and section of a throw-rod connection embodying my invention, with the section taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2 longitudinally of the connection.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. v e

To explain in detail, 1 indicates a section of a tie-bar whiehconnects at its opposite ends with the points of a switch in usual manner,

and 2 indicates the threaded end of a throw? rod which, at its opposite end, connects with a lever or other switch operating device. 7 As 1930. Serial No. 462,;1-82

the connection of the tie-bar with the switch points ,andlthe connection of the throw-rod with" its operating means, are or maybe of usual construction, no detailed description .or illustration of the same is necessary herein.

The means for adjustably connecting the throw-rod with the tie bar comprises a brack .et member .5 fixedly attached to the tie-bar and having at its opposite ,ends tubular-"extensions ,6, 6 with a communicating opening or passage 7 between the same, through which tubular extensions and communicating passage the threaded end of the throw-rod loo-sely extends. v c V Mounted on the throw-rod for engagement 4 with the ends of the liacket extensions 6, 6 are abutments, in the form-of nuts 8 8. i As the throw-rod is shifted longitudinally from the switch stand .or tower, the innerface 9 of either'one of these nuts, according to the direc-tion of movement of the rod, is brought into engagement with the the end 10 .of the adjacent bracket extension to shift the switch either-to its open or closed position, the relative movement between the throw-rod and the bracket member, such ,as will compensate for the difference-in throw bet-ween the swi ch ,and its operating lever, ,being determined by the adjustment of the nuts ,on the throw-rod relatively to the abutting ends 10' of the bracket extensions, as will be readily understood; After the nuts- 8 have been adjustcfl, --they may be secured in adjusted position by any suitable means, such as the lock nuts 12. Y i As a means for -,p rotec,ting this adjustable slidingcoimeotion between the throw-rod and tie-bar {from the acciunulation of foreign material, particularly. snow and ice, such as might interfere with its ready and proper opention and adjustment, I have provided the nuts 8. 8 with sleeve extensionsl, 14 at their inner ends which fit over and have a sliding, telescopic connection with the adjacent tubular extensions 6,, ,6 of the bracket members. With this construction, that is, the sleeves 14,1tfitt'ing over and enclosing the ends of the bracket extensions 6, 6 the opening in the bracket mem'ber through which, the throw-rod extends and also the spaces between the abutting faces v9 and 1 O,---

are effectively closed against the accumulation of foreign materials, such as described, which might tend to jam or otherwise interiere with the normal operation of the parts.

The construction as thus far described is eli'ective to protect the parts under-normal conditions, but as an additional means. of protection, I prefer to provide the bracket member 5 with tubular portions 16, 16 concentric with the tubular extension 6, 6 and spaced therefrom, as at 17, to receive and overlie the sleeves 14, 1% carried by the nuts on the throw-rod. lVith these tubular portions 16 overlying the ends of the sleeves 14 and the sleeves in turn overlying the ends of the inner bracket extensions 6, it will be clear that the opportunity for any snow, sleet or other foreign material working into the connection where it may jam or otherwise interfere With the proper working of the parts is practically nil. Any water leaking into the connection will discharge by gravity through outlet opening 520 in the lower part of the bracket member.

The bracket member has been described as being rigidly connected to the tie-bar. This connection may be effected in any desired way. As here shown, the bracket is formed with an extension 21 having openings 22 through which extend bolts 23 for detachably securing the bracket to the tie-bar.

What I claim is:

1. A throw-rod connection comprising a bracket member having tubular extensions at its opposite ends and a communicating opening between the same, a throw-rod extending loosely through said extensions and communicating opening, and abutment members on said rod for engagement with the opposite ends of the bracket extensions and having projecting sleeves receiving and enclosing the ends of said extensions.

2. It throw-rod connection comprising a bracket member having tubular extensions at its opposite ends and a communicating opening between the same, a screw threaded tbrrwm-od extending loosely through said extensions and communicating opening, and nuts threaded on said rod "for engagement with the opposite ends of the bracket extensions, said nuts havin projecting sleeves receiving and enclosing the ends of said bracket extensions.

A throw-rod connection comprising a bracket member having tubular extensions at its opposite ends and a 'comn'nmicating opening between the same, a throw rod extending loosely through said extensions and communicating opening, and abutment members on said rod for engagement with the opposite ends of the bracket extensions and having projecting sleeves receiving and enclosing the ends of said extensions, said bracket member also having at its opposite ends tubular portions concentric with its said tubular extensions which receive and enclose the ends of the projecting sleeves on the abutment members.

4. A throw-red connection comprising a bracket member having tubular extensions at its opposite ends and a communicating opening between the same, a screw threaded throw-rod extending loosely through said ex tensions and communicating opening, and nuts threaded on said rod for engagement with. the opposite ends of the bracket extensions and having projecting sleeves receiving and enclosing the ends of said bracket extensions, said bracket member also having at its opposite ends tubular portions concentric With its said tubular extensions which receive and enclose the ends of the projecting sleeves on the said nuts.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS GEORGE STILES. 

